Softball Scholarships
Much like in baseball, softball players have a number of options to score scholarships
outside of their intended college programs. Summer leagues are a particularly good
source if you play in one or have played in one, and also a good place to gain exposure
if you are going for a college-funded award. Many of these local scholarships look
beyond talent if they consider it at all, and instead take into account academic
achievements, financial need, extracurricular activities outside of softball, community
service, and overall character.
Most of the larger schools also have scholarship funds offered by alumni who have
played on their college team, and funding dedicated to drawing talented softball
players to that college. College-based funding is regulated by an outside organization
like the NCAA, so eligible players will need a minimum GPA in addition to a proven
track record on the field.
Check out some examples of how to find softball scholarships below. For additional
information about awards based on different criteria, try conducting a free college
scholarship search at Scholarships.com.
NCAA Scholarships
About $1 billion in full and partial athletic scholarships are awarded each year
by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to more than 126,000 undergraduate
student-athletes at Division I and Division II schools. Although these scholarships
are awarded and administered directly by each academic institution, not the NCAA,
you’ll be required to meet the requirements of the NCAA to receive any funding.
Those requirements include a minimum GPA for both the college-bound and those already
on campuses, and qualifying standardized test scores. Contact your intended school’s
athletic department for more information if you have the academics and the skill
to play on a college team.
College-Based Scholarships
If you plan on playing softball in college, whether on a varsity team or on the
club level, your intended college could have funds and endowments set up by alumni
who played the sport before you ever set foot on that campus or in honor of relatives
and important figures to your school. Southeastern Community College in Iowa, for
example, awards the Marion Schmidt Softball Scholarship. Students who have signed
a letter of intent to play softball on the school’s team and maintain a 2.0 GPA
for freshmen and 2.2 GPA for sophomores are eligible. Make sure you do your research,
and talk to your financial aid office and athletic departments about local and college-based
awards you could be eligible for.
Southampton College - LIU Academic Awards
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Academic Scholarships range from $5,000 - Full tuition. These Academic Scholarships are based upon a student's SAT/ACT score, GPA, course load and ranking if available. Scholarships are limited so apply early for the best opportunities. /HTMLCHUNK_4/
Art, athletic, alumni and sibling scholarships are also available. Please contact the Office of Admissions to have all of your questions [...] More
PONY Baseball/Softball Alumni Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
May 01, Annually
An Alumni Scholarship for graduates of the Pony League, Colt League and/or Palomino League is available through the PONY Baseball/Softball Scholarship Program. In order to be considered for a scholarship a PONY baseball or softball player must play on a PONY affiliated Pony, Colt and/or Palomino team for at least two years prior to application and be a senior in high school. The Scholarship [...] More
Alliance Pipeline Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
February 15, Annually
Established by Alliance Pipeline, this scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a student athlete who demonstrates strong academic performance. The student must maintain a 3.00 GPA and participate in an intercollegiate sport. The amount of the scholarship will be determined by January 1st of each year by the Director of the University Advancement based on the interest earnings in the [...] More
Bobby Sox Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Graduating high school seniors who have participated in the Bobby Sox Softball Program for at least five seasons are eligible for scholarships from the program’s scholarship fund. Participation in Mini Sox, Bobby Sox, or American Girl is considered for eligibility. Awards range from $100 to $2,500, and applicants are judged based on academic and educational achievements, recommendation letters, [...] More
Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
January 15, Annually
In 1988, the National Collegiate Athletic Association established the Walter Byers Postgraduate Scholarship Program as a means of recognizing the contributions of the former executive director through encouraging excellence in academic performance by student-athletes. Under this program, one male and one female student-athlete annually will be awarded a postgraduate scholarship in recognition of [...] More
Dixie Boys Baseball Bernie Varnadore Scholarship Program
Application Deadlines:
April 01, Annually
Outstanding high school seniors who have participated in a franchised Dixie Boys Baseball, Incorporated program and plan to pursue undergraduate studies at a college or university may apply for the Bernie Varnadore Scholarship Program. Dixie Boys Baseball, Incorporated programs include Dixie Boys Baseball for boys 13 and 14 years old; Dixie Pre-Majors Baseball for boys 15 and 16 years old; and [...] More
Davis Law Group Scholar Athlete Program™
Application Deadlines:
Varies
Scholar Athlete Program recognizes exceptional student athletes that are performing well in the classroom and on the field. To register for the scholarship, students need to apply online or be nominated by a coach, teacher, parent or friend. Students must be a senior in high school, currently attend a Washington State High School, have a 3.0 GPA or higher and participate in a sport. Students can [...] More
American Legion Baseball Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
July 16, Annually
The American Legion offers a number of scholarships and other resources to assist young people in their pursuit of higher education. Each Department Baseball Committee may select a player from their Department to receive this scholarship./HTMLCHUNK_4/
Applicant must have graduated from high school or have enrolled at a college or university, be on a current roster with American Legion National [...] More
Webber International University Athletic Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Athletic Scholarship is awarded at the discretion of the athletic deptartment in football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, golf, softball, cross country, baseball, track and field and cheerleading./HTMLCHUNK_4/
For more information about this opportunity, please [...] More
Furman University Athletic Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
Varies
The Furman University Athletic Scholarships are partial to full scholarships awarded in 17 men's and women's intercollegiate sports. For more information, contact the director of athletics or the head coach in the sport in which you are [...] More
William Woods University Athletic Scholarships
Application Deadlines:
February 15, Annually
The William Woods University Athletic Scholarships are available to students who demonstrate talent and skills in the areas of basketball, baseball, cross country, track and field, golf, soccer and women's [...] More
Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
March 13, Annually
To be eligible for an award from the Kyle R. Magoto Scholarship Fund, applicant must be a Russia High School (Shelby Co., Ohio) graduating senior who is pursuing an associate or a bachelor's degree as a full-time student at an accredited educational institution, have a high school GPA not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale and must have participated in no less than five (5) athletic seasons [...] More
IUTIS Club Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
March 13, Annually
To be eligible for the IUTIS Club Scholarship, applicant must be a high school senior who participated in the IUTIS Club (Sidney, Ohio) boys softball program for at least four years and must be planning to attend a two- or four-year college or university./HTMLCHUNK_4/
Selection will be based upon academic achievement, community and school service, and [...] More